The engine of a FedEx airplane caught fire shortly after taking off from Newark airport on Saturday morning, leading to an emergency landing in that city in New Jersey.
A video posted on social media shows how the Boeing 767-3S2F returns to the runway at full speed while flames erupt from the right engine.
A second clip shared by the news agency Fox shows how the fire reaches several meters as two airport fire trucks rush towards the aircraft after its landing.
In statements to that news outlet, FedEx issued a statement revealing that flight 3609 from that agency was headed to Indianapolis when it suffered a bird strike.
"Our B767 crew declared an emergency and returned safe and sound to Newark after addressing the damage sustained in the engine, including a fire. The training, experience, and professionalism demonstrated by our FedEx pilots were exemplary. We are grateful for the swift actions of our crew and first responders," the note states, as reported by Fox.
The plane was forced to land just nine minutes after takeoff, according to flight data.
So far, the severity of the damage caused by the fire is unknown. However, hours later, the plane received approval to travel to Indiana, according to Flight Aware.
This incident is part of a series of unfortunate events in the air reported recently related to U.S. flights.
Last week, a Southwest Airlines plane was close to being involved in a serious accident at Chicago Midway International Airport.
Flight 2504, a Boeing 737-8H4 that had taken off from Omaha, Nebraska, was forced to abort its landing abruptly when a private jet from Flexjet, a Bombardier Challenger 3500, dangerously entered its flight path.
Upon spotting it, the pilot had to execute a maneuver and managed to climb back up quickly to avoid a collision.
The week prior to that incident, a Delta Air Lines airplane, which departed from Minneapolis, United States, heading to Toronto, Canada, crashed while landing on the runway at Pearson International Airport, and overturned after the strong impact.
Fifteen people were injured in that incident, including a child, but none of the injuries are considered potentially life-threatening.
Frequently asked questions about the FedEx plane incident in New Jersey
What caused the fire on the FedEx plane in New Jersey?
The fire on the FedEx plane was caused by a bird striking the right engine. This forced the crew to declare an emergency and return to Newark Airport for an emergency landing. The swift actions of the pilots and emergency personnel ensured that the incident was resolved without injuries.
What measures were taken following the emergency landing of the FedEx flight?
After the emergency landing, the plane was inspected and, hours later, received approval to continue its journey to Indiana. The crew was commended for their professionalism, and the emergency teams acted swiftly to secure the aircraft and the crew.
How does this incident fit into the context of air security in the U.S.?
This incident adds to a series of recent aerial events in the United States. In recent weeks, there have been several incidents, such as near-collisions and accidents, raising concerns about aviation safety in the country. Furthermore, layoffs at the Federal Aviation Administration have been criticized for increasing the workload and risks.
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